E-Power Resources (CSE:EPR) has received metallurgical testwork results from the Tetepisca Flake Graphite Project in Québec, Canada, which highlights the potential for flake graphite mineralisation.
The results achieved 96.7% flotation recovery and a 94.8% concentrate grade from the Graphi West sample, confirming amenability to producing a high-purity product.
Flake size distribution for the syndicate concentrate showed 40% medium flake or larger including 22% large flake or larger – a key indicator of high-value product potential.
E-Power adds bulk samples from three distinct mineralised zones have been tested, including the Captain Cosmos target (32.7% graphitic carbon (Cg)), the Syndicate target (25% Cg), and the Graphi West target (15.3% Cg).
COO Jamie Lavigne says the testwork is the first completed on the Tetepisca Project and was designed as a scoping-level evaluation of graphite recovery.
“These results, and the results of additional testwork planned, will provide a basis for prioritising targets on our large position for delineation and resource estimation,” Lavigne says.
The Tetepisca Project, covering 12,665 hectares, is located in the North Shore region of Québec, Canada.
Total contained graphite from identified resources world-wide is estimated to exceed 350 million tonnes – or 245 million tonnes of product covering all flake sizes – assuming a mining yield of 70%, as reported by the European Advanced Carbon and Graphite Materials Association (ECGA).
There are a growing number of graphite mines under development across North America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and parts of Europe. Yet China by far remains the largest supplier of natural graphite globally, accounting for about 70% of production.
As reported by Mining.com.au, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence forecasts demand for natural graphite will surge 140% by 2030, meaning an estimated 30 new natural graphite mines and 12 new synthetic plants will need to come online globally to fill the void.
China dominates the global graphite supply chain, from synthetic and natural graphite production to the refining process. However, there is expected to be strong competition for market share between synthetic and natural graphite as demand continues to soar.
Natural graphite production is projected to grow 6% a year to reach 1.5 million tonnes by 2027, as ex-China mine production comes online. In North America in particular there are a growing number of companies making headway to compete for this market share.
Canadian exploration company E-Power believes its Tetepisca Flake Graphite Project will have to be one of those aforementioned 30 projects Benchmark estimates will need to come online in the next five years.
After all, E-Power’s stated mission is for ‘graphite now, not 20 years’.
E-Power Resources is a Montreal-based battery minerals explorer focused on flake graphite resource development.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: E-Power Resources
